Streams Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Streams

In village, streams
Came from springs
Pristine and chilli.

Great were the bubbles
And the fish in schools
Swimming together.

In trees and valleys
Playful was breeze.

We, the kids, were devils,
When wanted to drink.

Used our hands and fingers
Folded them in circles
And filled them with water
From the fast currents.

In times were like a sheep,
Or chicken, goat, donkey.

We were deaf to warnings:
"Be careful of the leech! "

Elders told, we ignored:
"They crawl in the weeds."

It was so till Yahya,
Came in red of blood;
With his nose swollen.

Kept face up but no use
Did not work the cotton.

Came advice of the wise
"Go to one stream
Put your face, keep waiting…"

Soon, blood had stopped
Leech was there and came out.